Food trimming

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method for trimming stems from Brussels sprouts includes a plurality of moving endless belts spaced to define slots therebetween with adjacent ones of the belts moving at different speeds to define a guide channel in which the sprouts are supported, moved in a path of travel, and rotated about a vertical axis. An overhead resilient pad overlies the respective channels and is moved into alternating engagement and disengagement of the sprouts and in a rocking motion in a direction parallel to the path of travel of the sprouts to impart rotation to the sprouts about an axis transverse to the path of travel of the sprouts. Additionally, the overhead resilient pad may be moved in a direction transverse to the path of travel of the sprouts to impart rotation to the sprouts about an axis parallel to the path of travel. Rotating cutters are positioned beneath the slots and rotate about an axis parallel to the slots so as to define a cylinder of revolution adjacent the bottom of the slots, whereby the stems are cut from the sprouts when the sprouts are rotated such that the stems extend through the slots.

United States Patent [191 Evans et al.

June 3, 1975 FOOD TRIMMING [75] Inventors: Owen H. Evans; Lewis E. Lawson, both of LeSueur, Minn.; Michel L. Montaigne; Gordon A. Muir, both of Aptos, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Green Giant Company, beSueur,

Minn.

[22] Filed: Sept. 28, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 401,950

[52] Cl 99/643; 426/518 [51] Int. Cl A23n 15/04 [58] Field of Search 99/639, 635, 638, 640, 99/643, 644', 426/518 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,379,049 5/1921 Schroeder............................. 99/639 3,538,969 ll/l970 Cox 99/639 3,630,247 l2/l971 99/639 3,653,418 4/1972 Oldershaw 99/639 3,669,164 6/1972 99/639 X 3,677,3l5 7/l972 Cox 99/639 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 7,011,759 2/1971 Netherlands Primary Examiner-John W. Huckert Assistant Examiner-Charles Gorenstein Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Molinare, Allegretti, Newitt & Witcoff [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus and method for trimming stems from Brussels sprouts includes a plurality of moving endless belts spaced to define slots therebetween with adjacent ones of the belts moving at different speeds to define a guide channel in which the sprouts are supported, moved in a path of travel, and rotated about a vertical axis. An overhead resilient pad overlies the respective channels and is moved into alternating engagement and disengagement of the sprouts and in a rocking motion in a direction parallel to the path of travel of the sprouts to impart rotation to the sprouts about an axis transverse to the path of travel of the sprouts. Additionally, the overhead resilient pad may be moved in a direction transverse to the path of travel of the sprouts to impart rotation to the sprouts about an axis parallel to the path of travel. Rotating cutters are positioned beneath the slots and rotate about an axis parallel to the slots so as to define a cylinder of revolution adjacent the bottom of the slots, whereby the stems are cut from the sprouts when the sprouts are rotated such that the stems extend through the slots.

35 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUHB 1915 8888858 SHEET 1 FOOD TRIMMING BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for the trimming of projections from globular articles and, more particularly, to apparatus and methods for the mechanized trimming of stems from Brussels sprouts.

Brussels sprouts are generally spherical or globular in shape and include an elongate stem after picking. Before the sprouts are ready for the marketplace, these stems must be removed.

In the past, Brussels sprouts stems were removed by hand trimming methods. Such hand trimming is not only time consuming and expensive, but sharp knives or other cutting devices must be manually manipulated by the individuals trimming the sprouts, thereby exposing such individuals to accidental injury.

Several mechanized trimming devices have also been developed for the trimming of these stems. One such machine comprises a large slotted wheel which rotates between a fixed resilient circular pad and cutter blades, the latter rotating at yet a higher speed than the wheel. The sprouts are fed to the moving wheel between the wheel and pad and, due to engagement of the sprouts by the wheel and the pad and the relative motion between the latter two components, some measure of rotation is imparted to the sprouts, the intent being to cause the stem, at some point in the travel of the sprout, to extend through the slot in the wheel at which time it is removed by the high speed rotating cutter blades.

This machine and method suffers several disadvantages. [t is cumbersome and is capable of imparting, at best, only one degree of rotation to the sprouts. Moreover, since the spacing between the wheel and pad is fixed in this apparatus and method, the probability is high that the sprouts will become jammed and will not rotate at all. As a result, it is not an uncommon occurrence that substantial numbers of the sprouts which are passed through the machine for trimming go untrimmed.

In another mechanized device which has previously been employed, a plurality of longitudinally extending guideways, together with some form of overhead mechanism, e.g. resilient pads or belts, are provided and the sprouts are engaged by both the guideways and overhead mechanism. Movement of the sprout along the guideway and rotation of the sprout in the guideway is effected by movement of one or both of these guideways and overhead mechanisms.

These devices had the purpose of imparting more than one degree of rotation to the sprouts during the course of travel through the machine. However, in these latter devices, the sprouts tend to become lodged between the pads and/or guideways and free rotation is impeded as in the circular trimming device previously described. Moreover, such machines handle sprouts of differing size in a given run with some difficulty, since the spacing between the guideways and overhead pad is fixed for any given run. Thereby, increased forces will be exerted upon larger sprouts in a given run resulting in the possibility of damage to these sprouts and the degree of engagement with the smaller sprouts may not be sufficient to cause rotation and the consequently trimming sprouts may be sporadic, at best.

The apparatus and method of the present invention overcomes these several disadvantages. In the apparatus and method of the present invention, the sprouts or other globular articles which are to be trimmed are exposed to several forces which both move the sprouts along a path of travel through the machine while rotating the sprouts about at least two axes of rotation during such movement. In the apparatus and method of the present invention, sprouts of varying sizes may be readily transported and trimmed efficiently and completely. in the apparatus of the present invention, wedging and the possibility of impeding the rotation of the sprouts and/or damage to the sprouts is minimized by movement of resilient contacting members alternately into and out of engagement with the sprouts and sprouts of widely varying sizes in any given run may be trimmed with facility.

in one principal aspect of the present invention, apparatus for the trimming of projections from globular articles includes guide means which extend over a substantial part of the apparatus, and define a channel of substantial length for the movement of the articles therethrough, and a slot extending over the length of the channel for the extension therethrough of the projections to be trimmed. Resilient means is positioned on one side of the guide means opposite the slot and means effects relative movement of at least one of the resilient means and the guide means relative to each other, alternately, in a direction toward and away from the other into and out of engagement with the articles when the articles are disposed in the channel. Motion imparting means imparts forces to the articles in the channel to cause the articles to move along the length of the channel and to rotate about at least two axes of rotation perpendicular to each other, whereby the stems of the articles extend through the slot, and cutter means is positioned on the side of the guide means opposite the resilient means for severing the projections when the projections extend through the slot.

in another principal aspect of the invention, the above-described apparatus includes a plurality of slots parallel to each other, the guide means comprises a plurality of endless resilient belts definin g a plurality of linear channels, and the belts are spaced from each other to define the slots. Drive means moves the belts in a direction parallel to the slots and adjacent ones of the belts at different speeds, thereby imparting forces to the articles to move the articles along the length of the channels and also imparting rotation to the articles about an axis perpendicular to the movement of the articles along the length of the channels.

In still another principal aspect of the invention, the resilient means comprises a resilient pad overlying the guide means and means for effecting the relative movement by moving the pad both in a direction parallel to the slots and toward and away from the guide means.

And in still another principal aspect of the invention, motion is not only imparted to the pad in a direction toward and away from the guide means and parallel to the slots, but also transverse to the slots.

in another principal aspect of the invention, a method for trimming projections from globular articles comprises supportably engaging one side of the articles at first spaced locations, moving the first spaced locations along a path of travel, alternately engaging the articles with resilient means at a second location spaced from the first spaced locations and then releasing the articles, moving the resilient means in a direction parallel to the path of travel while the resilient means is in engagement with the article, and cutting the projection from the articles when the projections rotate so as to extend between the first spaced locations.

In another principal aspect of the invention. the aforementioned method includes moving the resilient means in a direction transverse to the path of travel.

And in still another principal aspect of the present invention, the aforementioned methods include moving one of the first spaced locations along the path of travel at a speed greater than the other of the first spaced locations. I

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood through a consideration of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the course of this description, reference will frequently be made to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one preferred embodiment of trimming apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of and employing the method of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the trimming apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the trimming apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial plan view of the trimming apparatus shown in circle 4 of FIG. 3, and showing the rotation imparted to the globular articles by the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross sectioned partial side elevation view of the trimming apparatus taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectioned end elevation view of the trimming apparatus taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectioned end elevation view of the trimming apparatus taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of an overhead pad assembly of a second preferred embodiment of trimming apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross sectioned end elevation view of the overhead pad assembly taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross sectioned side elevation view of the overhead pad assembly taken along lines 10-10 in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a cross sectioned partial plan view of the eccentric transverse drive mechanism of the overhead pad assembly taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Construction of First Embodiment The first preferred embodiment of the Brussels sprouts trimming machine of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1-7.

Referring to FIG. I, the trimming apparatus generally includes a substantially rigid frame 10 having a feeder 12 in which the sprouts to be trimmed are placed for feeding to the machine. From the feeder 12, the sprouts are fed to a planar guide and conveyor bed 14 of the trimming apparatus. Bed 14 comprises a sprout guiding and conveying surface formed by a plurality of endless moving belts 16, each pair of adjacent belts l6 and 16' defining a moving guide channel 18 for the sprouts and being spaced from each other to define slots 19 therebetween as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

The sprouts are discharged to the upstream end of the guide channels 18 and are lodged in place by a plurality of hold-on wheels, generally 20, which are positioned in housing 22, hold-on wheels 20 firmly positioning the sprouts in respective ones of the channels. After leaving the hole-on wheels, the sprouts pass beneath an overhead pad assembly 24 comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending resilient strips or pads 26 generally. These strips or pads 26 are positioned to engage the sprouts as the sprouts are moved along the channels 18 by the belts 16. As the sprouts move along the channels 18, rotation is imparted to the sprouts such that, at some point in their course of travel along the channels, the stems will project through the slots 19 at which point they will be trimmed or severed by rotating cutter blades 28 immediately beneath the slots 19, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

In more specific detail, the feeder 12 is secured at one end of the trimming machine of the invention, the sprouts to be trimmed being introduced through the top 30 of the feeder 12 as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2. The feeder is preferably of the vibrating type, oscillatory motion being imparted to the feeder by way of drive motor 32, sprocket chain 33 and eccentric drive 34. The construction of the feeder 12 will not be described in detail herein, since it may be any one of numerous conventional feeders, the selection of one of which is well within the skill of one skilled in the art. The feeder is positioned in overlying relationship to the left end of the conveyor bed 14 as viewed in FIG. 2 so as to discharge sprouts to be trimmed to the conveyor bed.

The conveyor bed 14 comprises a plurality of endless resilient belts l6 fonned of a soft material, preferably a soft rubber, polymer or the like, to prevent damage to the sprouts. The belts 16 are generally triangular in cross section as viewed in FIGS. 6 and 7 and are spaced from each other so as to define the guide channels 18 between adjacent ones 16 and 16' of the belts. The bases 36 of the upper flights of the belts 16 are supported on rigid stationary support surfaces 38 extending the length of the conveyor bed, to minimize the degree of depression of the belts. An elongate blade shaped guide member 40 is secured to the stationary support surfaces and extends edgewise, elevationally into slot 42 opening downwardly through the base 36 of each of the belts l6. Thereby, lateral movement of the belts 16 during their travel along the stationary support surfaces 38 is minimized.

The belts 16 are trained about multiple pulley sets 44 and 46 at each end of the conveyor bed 14. The pulleys 44 at the input side of the bed are carried on a rotating drive shaft 48 and the pulleys 46 at the discharge end of the bed are carried on a rotating drive shaft 50, one of these shafts rotating at a speed differing from the other. Each alternate pulley on each of the drive shafts 48 and 50 is mounted so as to freely idle on its drive shaft, whereas the remaining pulleys are fixed to their respective drive shafts and driven thereby. Drive shaft 48 is driven by way of drive motor 32 through a suitable chain and gear arrangement 52, as shown in FIG. 2. Drive shaft 50 is also driven through a suitable chain and gear arrangement 54 by drive motor 56 as shown in FIG. 2. Although drive motor 32 is shown as driving both chains 33 and 52, it will be understood that separate drive motors may be provided.

Since every other one of the pulleys 44 and 46 of each of the shafts 48 and 50 are fixed to the shafts, while the remaining pulleys idle freely on the shafts, alternate ones of the belts 16 are driven by the pulleys 44 on shaft 48 in a clockwise direction at one speed and the remaining alternate ones of the belts l6 are driven in a clockwise direction by the pulleys 46 on shaft 50 at a greater speed than the speed of belts 16. A speed differential between the belts of approximately 25% has been found to result in satisfactory rotation of the sprouts. In addition, belt speeds of approximately 100- l 25 fpm have been found to be satisfactory for the trimming of sprouts. lt will be appreciated that these speed differentials and speeds are given by way of ex' ample only and may be varied without departing from the substance of the invention.

Additional tension adjustment pulleys 58 may be provided at one or both ends of the machine for adjusting the tension of the belts 16 and, if necessary, idler pulleys 60 may also be provided in combination with pulleys 58 to assist in this purpose.

In order to firmly seat the sprouts in the respective channels 18 between adjacent belts prior to passage of the sprouts beneath the overhead pad assembly 24, the hold-on wheel assembly is provided in a suitable protective overhead housing 22 adjacent the discharge end of the feeder 12. The hold-on assembly comprises a drive shaft 62 having a plurality of spaced soft resilient wheels 64 mounted thereon. Each of the wheels 64 is positioned to rotate in one of the channels 18, as shown in FIG. 3, and engage the sprouts which may have been fed to the respective channels. The drive shaft 62 is driven, by way of a suitable chain and sprocket construction 66, either from motor 32 or by way of a separate motor if desired. The wheels 64 are driven in the same direction as the movement of the sprouts (counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 1) and preferably at a speed between the speeds of the belts 16 and 16'.

The overhead pad assembly 24 comprises a plurality of spaced rigid support members 68 extending linearly over a substantial portion of the length of the channels 18 defined between the belts l6. A plurality of spongy elongate resilient pads 70 are mounted to the underside of these members 68 and in overlying relationship to the channels 18. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, these resilient pads 70 extend downward in elevation into the upper portion of the channels 18 and the bottoms of the pads are preferably slightly arcuate at 72 in cross section over their length to insure that they will firmly grasp the sprouts as the sprouts move through the channels. The spongy resilient pads 70 may be formed of any suitable spongy material, for example, sponge rubber or polyurethane foam. and may be solid, as shown in FIG. 6, or hollow as shown in FlG. 9.

Two drive shafts 74 and 76 are positioned above the pads 70 at each end of the latter. The drive shafts 74 and 76 are mounted in suitable pillow blocks 78 for rocking movement therein. A pair of hell crank assemblies 80 and 82 are mounted to one end of each of the drive shafts 74 and 76 respectively, for imparting a rocking motion to the shafts. The bell crank assembly 80 comprises a rigid link 84 firmly fixed to one end of drive shaft 74 and the like is pivotally attached at its other end to a driving arm 86. The other end of the driving arm 86 is pivotally and eccentrically mounted to a drive plate 88 and is rotatably driven by way of drive motor 90 fixed to the frame 92 of the overhead pad assembly. An elongate drive rod 94 is also pivotally mounted at one end to the upper end of the rigid link 84 and at its other end to the upper end of a second rigid link 96 which, in turn, is fixed to the drive shaft 76.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 6 and 7, each of the rigid support strips 68 includes a pair of spaced legs 98 firmly affixed to the upper sides thereof and extending in an upward direction. A plurality of lugs 100 are firmly mounted to the drive shafts 74 and 76 and extend downward between the spaced legs 98 and the legs and bottom ends of the lugs are pivotally attached to each other by a suitable pivot bolt 102.

Thereby, operation of the drive motor 90 imparts a rocking motion to the pads 70 by way of drive plate 88, drive arm 86 and rod 94, links 84 and 96, lugs 100 and legs 98. This rocking motion is shown schematically in FIG. 5 by the arcuate arrow A. It will be seen from FIG. 5 that due to this rocking motion of pads 70, the pads move between a lowermost position toward the discharge end of the conveyor bed 14 in which position the pads engage the sprouts, and an upper position toward the inlet end of the conveyor bed in which position the pads become disengaged from the sprouts in channel 18 as shown in dot and dash. Therefore, this rocking motion results in alternating motion of the pads 70 both into and out of engagement with the sprouts in a direction toward and away from the slots 19 defined between the belts l6, and in a direction fore and aft of the conveyor bed parallel to the path of travel of the sprouts through the channels 18. For the trimming of Brussels sprouts, a pad rise of A in. and a fore and aft motion of 2 in. has been found to be satisfactory.

The entire overhead assembly 24 may be mounted to the assembly frame 92 by way of a pivot rod 103 to allow the entire assembly to be pivoted up to facilitate maintenance and repair of the conveyor bed 14.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 6 and 7, a plurality of rotating cylindrical cutters 28 are positioned beneath the respective slots 19 and rotate about an axis substantially parallel to the respective slots. The cutters 28 comprise an elongate drive shaft 104 to which one or more elongate blades 106 are attached, the blades extending over substantially the entire length of the slots 19. Upon rotation, the cutter blades 106 describe a cylinder of rotation which passes just beneath the slots 19 for trimming any of the stems of the sprouts immediately upon their extension through the slots during the course of travel of the sprouts through the channels 18.

One or more drive motors 108 are provided with suitable pulleys 110 and belts 112 for driving pulleys 114 mounted to the ends of the respective cutter drive shafts 104. A belt drive is preferred for driving the cutters 28 to allow for some degree of slip in the event that the cutter blades become jammed by the presence of foreign objects during operation. Several drive motors 108 are preferred in order to minimize the size of the pulleys 110.

The support surfaces 38 are rigidly mounted to the trimming machine frame 10 at each end. The undersides of these support surfaces are preferably shaped to as to define arcuate surfaces 116 in cross section and of substantially the same radius as the cylinder of revolution of the cutters 28 as shown in FIG. 6. These arcuate surfaces prevent the accumulation of debris during the trimming operation.

An inclined chute 118 is positioned beneath the cutters 28 to receive the dispose of the stems which are trimmed from the sprouts.

Operation of the First Preferred Embodiment To begin the operation of the trimmer, drive motors 32, S6 and 90 are energized. Drive motor 32 will thereby vibrate the feeder l2, rotate the hold-on wheels 64 and every other pulley 44 on drive shaft 48 causing every other one of the belts 16 to rotate in a clockwise direction. Drive motor 56 will rotate every other pulley 46 on drive shaft 50 causing the remaining belts 16' to rotate in a clockwise direction. but at a speed different than the speed of the belts 16 rotated by pulleys 44. Drive motor 90 will effect rotation of the eccentric drive plate 88 to drive the belt crank assemblies 80 and 82 and cause the overhead pads to move back and forth and up and down in the rocking motion previously described and shown in FIG. 5.

The Brussels sprouts B to be trimmed are now introduced into the feeder 12 through its top 30 from where they are discharged, individually, to the left end of the conveyor bed 14, as viewed in FIGS. 1-3, just before the hold-on wheels 64. As the sprouts are discharged to the conveyor bed 14, they will be deposited in respective ones of the channels 18 defined between adjacent belts l6 and 16'. Since the belts 16 and 16' are all moving in a clockwise direction, the sprouts B will be conveyed beneath the hold-on wheels 64 at which time they will become firmly seated in their channels 18.

Operation of the adjacent belts 16 and 16' at different speeds not only imparts forces to the sprouts B which causes the sprouts to be conveyed along a linear path of travel across the conveyor bed 14 and along the channel 18, but will cause the sprouts to rotate about a vertical axis C as shown in FIG. 5. This rotation is the result of the sprouts being contacted and supported by the two adjacent belts l6 and 16' at spaced locations x and y, one location at of which is moving at a greater speed than the other location y. The speed differential of the belts l6 and 16' is depicted by the long and short arrows D and E and rotation of the sprouts about the vertical axis C is shown by the curved arrows F in FIG. '4.

The rotating sprouts, after leaving the hold-on wheels 64, next pass beneath the overhead pad assembly 24. The overhead pad assembly, as previously described, alternately engages, disengages and reengages the sprouts 8 during their course of travel beneath the assembly due to the rocking motion of the assembly as depicted by the arcuate arrow A shown in FIG. 5. This alternating engagement and disengagement minimizes the possibility of damage to the sprouts and acts to dislodge any sprouts which may have become lodged in the channels 18 such as might impede their rotation during the course of travel of the sprouts across the bed 14. Moreover, this rocking motion insures contact of the pad assembly with large, as well as smaller sprouts in a given run, and gives the pads 70 a new grip during the travel of the sprouts to insure the maximum probability of rotation of the sprouts. The overhead pads 70 engage the sprouts at a third position 1 which is spaced from the first positions x and y when the pads are in the lower part of their rocking pattern as shown in solid in FIG. 5. This engagement also imparts rotation to the sprouts B about an axis G which is transverse and perpendicular to the channel 18 as shown in FIG. 4. This rotation is shown by the curved arrow F in FIG. 5 and is the result of the drag exerted on the sprouts due to the engagement of the upper side of the sprouts at the second position z against the overhead pad as the sprout moves through the channel 18 along its path of travel. It will be seen, when considering that the rocking motion of the pads 70 is both in the fore and aft directions, that both the magnitude and direction of this drag varies continuously during the course of sprout travel along its path and thereby enhances rotation of the sprout and dislodging of the sprout in the event that it becomes stuck in its channel 18.

Thus, as the sprout moves longitudinally along its path of travel through channels 18, at least 2 degrees of rotation about two perpendicular axes C and G are imparted to the sprout to insure that, at some point in its course of travel, the stern H of the sprout will be oriented downward as shown in FIG. 5 so as to extend through the slot 19.

The rotating cutters 28 will immediately trim the stem H from the sprout upon extension through the slot 19. These trimmed stems fall into the discharge chute 1 18 and are discharged from the trimmer. The trimmed sprouts B continue along their course of travel and are discharged from the right side of the trimmer as shown in FIG. 3.

Description of the Second Preferred Embodiment A second preferred embodiment of trimming machine constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 8-11. This embodiment of machine is similar to the previously described trimming machine, except that the overhead pad assembly 24' is somewhat modified to include, in addition to the fore and aft and up and down rocking motion, motion in a direction transverse of the channels 18 and slots 19. Like reference numerals will be employed for components common to the two embodimerits.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 8 and 10, an additional chain and sprocket is driven by the drive motor 90 to drive a drive shaft 122. Shaft 122 extends to a gear box 124 which, in turn, drives an elongate drive shaft 126 which drives a second gear box 128. Short drive shafts 130 and 132 extend downward from each of the gear boxes 124 and 128, respectively, and these shafts 130 and 132 rotate at the same speed. An eccentric cam 134 is mounted at the lower end of each of the drive shafts 130 and 132 and cams 134 bear against a cam follower 136. The cam follower 136, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, is mounted firmly to the top of one arm 138 of a parallel arm assembly. As shown particularly in FIG. 9, a plurality of short arms 140, one for each overhead pad support member 68. are pivotally mounted by pivot pins 142 at one end to arms 138, intermediate their length by pivot pins 144 to drive shafts 74 and 76, and at their bottom ends by pins 146 to a U-shaped bracket 148 affixed to the overhead pad support members 68.

Thereby, in addition to the fore and aft and up and down rocking motion imparted to the pads 70 as previously described and as shown by the arrows A in FIGS. 9 and 11 by the crank assemblies 80 and 82. a third degree of motion is imparted to the pads 70 in a direction transverse to the channels 18 as shown by arrows l.

Operation of the Second Preferred Embodiment The operation of the second preferred embodiment of trimming machine is substantially identical to that previously described, except for the transverse move ment of the overhead pad assembly 24'.

Upon energization of motor 90, chain drive 120 will drive eccentric plate 88 and rods 86 and 94 to drive the bell crank assemblies 80 and 82 to cause shafts 74 and 76 to rock with the fore and aft and up and down motion as previously described and as shown by arrows A. This motion will be transmitted to the pad support members 68 through the pivot pins 144 and short arms 140.

in addition, shaft 122 will be driven by chain 120 to drive the gear box 124, drive shaft 126 and gear box 128, causing the shafts 130 and 132 and earns 134 to rotate. Since cams 134 are eccentric, they will cause the cam followers 136 to move to the right and left as viewed in FIG. 9 resulting in movement of the parallel arms 138 to the right and left. This parallel arm movement is transmitted, by way of the pivot pins 142 and short arms 140 to the support members 68 to cause transverse movement of the pads 70 to the right and left as shown by the arrows l in FIG. 9.

Such transverse movement of the overhead pads 70 will impart still another degree of rotation to the sprouts B, rotation about an axis, depicted by the dot .l in FIG. 9, parallel to the path of travel of the sprouts through the channels 18 and parallel to the slots 19.

It will be understood that although the method and apparatus of the present invention has been described as being employed in the trimming of Brussels sprouts, the principles of the invention are contemplated for use in the trimming of other globular articles. It will also be understood that the embodiments of the present invention which have been described are merely illustrative of some of the applications of the principles of the invention. Numerous modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for the trimming of projections from globular articles, comprising guide means extending over a substantial part of said apparatus, said guide means defining a channel of substantial length for the movement of said articles therethrough and also defining a slot therein for the extension of the projections on said articles therethrough, said slot extending over substantially the entire length of said channel,

resilient means positioned on one side of said guide means opposite said slot,

means for effecting movement relative to each other of at least one of said resilient means and guide means alternately and repeatedly in directions toward and away from the other into and out of engagement with the articles when the articles are disposed in said channel,

motion imparting means for imparting forces to the articles in said channel to cause the articles to move along the length of said channel and to rotate about at least two axes of rotation perpendicular to each other, whereby the projections of the articles extend through said slot, and

projection removing means positioned on the side of said guide means opposite said resilient means and adjacent said slot for removing said projections from said articles when the projections extend through said slot.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guide means comprise a plurality of resilient members of substantial length spaced from each other over their length to define said slot.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said resilient members are linear.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guide means comprise a plurality of resilient belts spaced from each other to define said slot, and drive means for moving said belts in a direction parallel to said slot, said belts defining said channel and imparting motion to the articles disposed in said channel and supported upon said belts to move said articles along the length of said channel.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein adjacent ones of said belts are driven at different speeds for imparting motion to said articles about an axis perpendicular to the movement of said articles along the length of said channel.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said belts are endless belts, and rigid stationary support means beneath said belts for supporting said belts for movement of said belts in said direction parallel to said slot.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said stationary support means includes means to guide the movement of said belts.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means to guide said belts comprises an elongate upstanding rigid member, and an elongate slot in said belts into which said rigid member extends.

9. The apparatus of claim 4 including a plurality of said slots and said belts.

10. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said belts move linearly.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said resilient means comprises a resilient pad overlying said guide means.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said means for efi'ecting relative movement moves said pad toward and away from said guide means, whereby said pad alternately engages and releases said articles disposed in said channel.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 including means for moving said pad in a direction parallel to the slot.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 including means for moving said pad in a direction transverse to said slot.

15. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said means for effecting said relative movement moves said pad both in a direction parallel to said slot and toward and away from said guide means, whereby said pad alternately engages and releases said articles disposed in said channel and imparts a force to said articles which causes said articles to rotate about an axis transversely perpendicular to said slot.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said pad is moved in a rocking motion.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said means for effecting said relative movement also moves said pad in a direction transverse to said slot to impart a force to said articles disposed in said channel to cause said articles to rotate about an axis parallel to said slot.

18. The apparatus to claim 11 including a plurality of said channels and a plurality of said pads overlying each of said channels.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said projection removing means comprise cutter means and including means for rotating said cutter means about an axis parallel to said slot.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said cutter means comprise a plurality of elongate blades extending over substantially the entire length of said slot, and means for rotating said blades about an axis parallel to said slot such as to describe a cylinder of revolution proximate to said slot.

21. The apparatus of claim 1 including a plurality of said slots extending parallel to each other, wherein said guide means comprise a plurality of endless resilient belts defining a plurality of linear channels, said belts being spaced from each other to define said slots, drive means for moving said belts in a direction parallel to said slots and adjacent ones of said belts at different speeds to impart forces to the articles disposed in said channels and supported upon said belts to move said articles along the length of said channels and to impart motion to said articles about an axis perpendicular to the movement of said articles along the length of said channels, rigid stationary support means beneath said belts for supporting said belts for movement of said belts in said direction parallel to said slots, said stationary support means including means to guide the movement of said belts, and wherein said resilient means comprises resilient pad means overlying said guide means, said means for effecting said relative movement moving said pad means both in a direction parallel to said slots and toward and away from said guide means such that said pad means alternately engages and releases said articles disposed in said channels and imparts a force to said articles which causes said articles to rotate about an axis transversely perpendicular to said slots.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said means for effecting said relative movement also moves said pad means in a direction transverse to said slots to impart a force to said articles disposed in said channels to cause said articles to rotate about an axis parallel to said slots.

23. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said projection removing means are cutter means comprising a plurality of elongate blades extending over substantially the entire length of said slots, and means for rotating said blades about an axis parallel to said slots so as to describe a cylinder of revolution proximate to said slots on a side thereof opposite said pad means.

24. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said pad means moves with a rocking motion.

25. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said projection removing means comprise cutter means which sever said projections.

26. A method for trimming projections from globular articles comprising,

supportably engaging one side of said articles upon moving means at first spaced locations,

moving said first spaced locations along a path of travel,

alternately and repeatedly engaging and disengaging said articles with resilient means at a second location spaced from said first spaced locations and then releasing said articles at said second location, moving said resilient means in a direction parallel to said path of travel while said resilient means is in engagement with said articles. the movement of said first spaced locations and resilient means im parting rotation to said articles and their projections as they move song the path of travel, and removing said projections from said articles when said projections rotate to extend between said first spaced locations.

27. The method of claim 26 including also moving said resilient means in a direction transverse to said path of travel while said resilient means is in engagement with said articles to impart rotation to said articles and their projections about an axis parallel to said path of travel as they move along said path of travel.

28. The method of claim 26 including moving one of said first spaced locations along the path of travel at a speed greater than the other of said first spaced locations.

29. The method of claim 26 including imparting a rocking motion to said resilient means.

30. The method of claim 26 wherein said projections are removed from said articles by cutting.

31. Apparatus for the trimming of projections from globular articles, comprising guide means extending over a substantial part of said apparatus, said guide means defining a channel of substantial length for the movement of said articles therethrough and also defining a slot therein for the extension of the projections on said articles therethrough, said slot extending over substantially the entire length of said channel,

resilient means positioned on one side of said guide means opposite said slot, means for effecting a repeated rocking movement of at least one of said resilient means and said guide means so as to move the element rocked into and out of engagement with the articles when the articles are disposed in said channel, motion imparting means for imparting forces to the articles in said channels to cause the articles to move along the length of said channel, and

projection removing means positioned on the side of said guide means opposite said resilient means and adjacent said slot for removing said projections from said articles when the projections extend through said slot.

32. The apparatus of claim 31 including means for moving the element which is rocked also in a direction transverse to the rocking direction.

33. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said projection removing means comprise cutter means which sever said projections.

34. A method for trimming projections from globular articles comprising,

supportably engaging one side of said articles at first spaced locations,

moving said first spaced locations along a path of travel,

alternately and repeatedly engaging and disengaging said articles with resilient means at a second location spaced from said first spaced locations and then releasing said articles at said second location, moving said resilient means both in a direction parallel and transverse to said path of travel while said resilient means is in engagement with said articles, the movement of said first spaced locations and resilient means imparting rotation to said articles and their projections as they move along the path of travel which rotation includes rotation about an tion spaced from said first spaced locations and then releasing said articles at said second location, rocking said resilient means in a direction parallel to said path of travel while said resilient means is in engagement with said articles, the movement of said first spaced locations and resilient means imparting rotation to said articles and their projections as they move along the path of travel, and cutting said projections from said articles when said projections rotate to extend between said first spaced locations. 

1. Apparatus for the trimming of projections from globular articles, comprising guide means extending over a substantial part of said apparatus, said guide means defining a channel of substantial length for the movement of said articles therethrough and also defining a slot therein for the extension of the projections on said articles therethrough, said slot extending over substantially the entire length of said channel, resilient means positioned on one side of said guide means opposite said slot, MEANS for effecting movement relative to each other of at least one of said resilient means and guide means alternately and repeatedly in directions toward and away from the other into and out of engagement with the articles when the articles are disposed in said channel, motion imparting means for imparting forces to the articles in said channel to cause the articles to move along the length of said channel and to rotate about at least two axes of rotation perpendicular to each other, whereby the projections of the articles extend through said slot, and projection removing means positioned on the side of said guide means opposite said resilient means and adjacent said slot for removing said projections from said articles when the projections extend through said slot.
 1. Apparatus for the trimming of projections from globular articles, comprising guide means extending over a substantial part of said apparatus, said guide means defining a channel of substantial length for the movement of said articles therethrough and also defining a slot therein for the extension of the projections on said articles therethrough, said slot extending over substantially the entire length of said channel, resilient means positioned on one side of said guide means opposite said slot, means for effecting movement relative to each other of at least one of said resilient means and guide means alternately and repeatedly in directions toward and away from the other into and out of engagement with the articles when the articles are disposed in said channel, motion imparting means for imparting forces to the articles in said channel to cause the articles to move along the length of said channel and to rotate about at least two axes of rotation perpendicular to each other, whereby the projections of the articles extend through said slot, and projection removing means positioned on the side of said guide means opposite said resilient means and adjacent said slot for removing said projections from said articles when the projections extend through said slot.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guide means comprise a plurality of resilient members of substantial length spaced from each other over their length to define said slot.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said resilient members are linear.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guide means comprise a plurality of resilient belts spaced from each other to define said slot, and drive means for moving said belts in a direction parallel to said slot, said belts defining said channel and imparting motion to the articles disposed in said channel and supported upon said belts to move said articles along the length of said channel.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein adjacent ones of said belts are driven at different speeds for imparting motion to said articles about an axis perpendicular to the movement of said articles along the length of said channel.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said belts are endless belts, and rigid stationary support means beneath said belts for supporting said belts for movement of said belts in said direction parallel to said slot.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said stationary support means includes means to guide the movement of said belts.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means to guide said belts comprises an elongate upstanding rigid member, and an elongate slot in said belts into which said rigid member extends.
 9. The apparatus of claim 4 including a plurality of said slots and said belts.
 10. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said belts move linearly.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said resilient means comprises a resilient pad overlying said guide means.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said means for effecting relative movement moves said pad toward and away from said guide means, whereby said pad alternately engages and releases said articles disposed in said channel.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11 including means for moving said pad in a direction parallel to the slot.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11 including means for moving said pad in a direction transverse to said slot.
 15. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said means for effecting said relative movement moves said pad both in a direction parallel to said slot and toward and away from said guide means, whereby said pad alternately engages and releases said articles disposed in said channel and imparts a force to said articles which causes said articles to rotate about an axis transversely perpendicular to said slot.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said pad is moved in a rocking motion.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said means for effecting said relative movement also moves said pad in a direction transverse to said slot to impart a force to said articles disposed in said channel to cause said articles to rotate about an axis parallel to said slot.
 18. The apparatus fo claim 11 including a plurality of said channels and a plurality of said pads overlying each of said channels.
 19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said projection removing means comprise cutter means and including means for rotating said cutter means about an axis parallel to said slot.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said cutter means comprise a plurality of elongate blades extending over substantially the entire length of said slot, and means for rotating said blades about an axis parallel to said slot such as to describe a cylinder of revolution proximate to said slot.
 21. The apparatus of claim 1 including a plurality of said slots extending parallel to each other, wherein said guide means comprise a plurality of endless resilient belts defining a plurality of linear channels, said belts being spaced from each other to define said slots, drive means for moving said belts in a direction parallel to said slots and adjacent ones of said belts at different speeds to impart forces to the articles disposed in said channels and supported upon said belts to move said articles along the length of said channels and to impart motion to said articles about an axis perpendicular to the movement of said articles along the length of said channels, rigid stationary support means beneath said belts for supporting said belts for movement of said belts in said direction parallel to said slots, said stationary support means including means to guide the movement of said belts, and wherein said resilient means comprises resilient pad means overlying said guide means, said means for effecting said relative movement moving said pad means both in a direction parallel to said slots and toward and away from said guide means such that said pad means alternately engages and releases said articles disposed in said channels and imparts a force to said articles which causes said articles to rotate about an axis transversely perpendicular to said slots.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said means for effecting said relative movement also moves said pad means in a direction transverse to said slots to impart a force to said articles disposed in said channels to cause said articles to rotate about an axis parallel to said slots.
 23. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said projection removing means are cutter means comprising a plurality of elongate blades extending over substantially the entire length of said slots, and means for rotating said blades about an axis parallel to said slots so as to describe a cylinder of revolution proximate to said slots on a side thereof opposite said pad means.
 24. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said pad means moves with a rocking motion.
 25. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said projection removing means comprise cutter means which sever said projections.
 26. A method for trimming projections from globular articles comprising, supportably engaging one side of said articles upon moving means at first spaced locations, moving said first spaced locations along a path of travel, alternately and repeatedly engaging and disengaging said articles with resilient means at a second location spaced from said first spaced locations and then releasing said articles at said second location, moving said resilient means in a direction parallel to said path of travel while said resilient means is in engagement with said articles, the movement of said first spaced locations and resilient means imparting rotation to said articles and their projections as they move along the path of travel, and removing said projections from said articles when said projections rotate to extend between said first spaced locations.
 27. The method of claim 26 including also moving said resilient means in a direction transverse to said path of travel while said resilient means is in engagement with said articles to impart rotation to said articles and their projections about an axis parallel to said path of travel as they move along said path of travel.
 28. The method of claim 26 including moving one of said first spaced locations along the path of travel at a speed greater than the other of said first spaced locations.
 29. The method of claim 26 including imparting a rocking motion to said resilient means.
 30. The method of claim 26 wherein said projections are removed from said articles by cutting.
 31. Apparatus for the trimming of projections from globular articles, comprising guide means extending over a substantial part of said apparatus, said guide means defining a channel of substantial length for the movement of said articles therethrough and also defining a slot therein for the extension of the projections on said articles therethrough, said slot extending over substantially the entire length of said channel, resilient means positioned on one side of said guide means opposite said slot, means for effecting a repeated rocking movement of at least one of said resilient means and said guide means so as to move the element rocked into and out of engagement with the articles when the articles are disposed in said channel, motion imparting means for imparting forces to the articles in said channels to cause the articles to move along the length of said channel, and projection removing means positioned on the side of said guide means opposite said resilient means and adjacent said slot for removing said projections from said articles when the projections extend through said slot.
 32. The apparatus of claim 31 including means for moving the element which is rocked also in a direction transverse to the rocking direction.
 33. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said projection removing means comprise cutter means which sever said projections.
 34. A method for trimming projections from globular articles comprising, supportably engaging one side of said articles at first spaced locations, moving said first spaced locations along a path of travel, alternately and repeatedly engaging and disengaging said articles with resilient means at a second location spaced from said first spaced locations and then releasing said articles at said second location, moving said resilient means both in a direction parallel and transverse to said path of travel while said resilient means is in engagement with said articles, the movement of said first spaced locations and resilient means imparting rotation to said articles and their projections as they move along the path of travel which rotation includes rotation about an axis parallel to said path of travel as they move along said path of travel, and cutting said projections from said articles when said projections rotate to extend between said first spaced locations. 